TRAVERSE CITY -- Thomas McCollum wants to play for the Grand Rapids Griffins this season. So does Jordan Pearce.

The issue? There's only one spot available.

With returning American Hockey League All-Star Daniel Larsson expected to start the season as the Griffins' No. 1 goaltender, McCollum and Pearce are doing their best in training camp to earn that second roster spot.

That kind of competition only should benefit the Griffins, general manager Bob McNamara said.

"I think both goaltenders have tremendous potential, and I think it's going to be a battle for that job," McNamara said. "You never know, and you don't really want to say until you've given both kids an opportunity to really play."

McCollum, the 30th pick in the 2008 NHL draft, likely has the edge in the competition. This the second training camp the 19-year-old has participated in, and it's the second time he has worked with Red Wings goaltending coach Jim Bedard.

Jordan Pearce

But Pearce, who was signed as an undrafted free agent in April after finishing a standout career at Notre Dame, is doing his best to make it a difficult decision.

McCollum is a big body (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) who plays angles well, while Pearce generally stays deeper in the crease and is more reflex-oriented.

McCollum was placed on the same training camp team as Chris Osgood for the second year in a row. He said the veteran goalie has been helpful with tips and encouragement.

"I'm a lot more relaxed coming in this year; I'm not as nervous," McCollum said. "I really knew what to expect and was more focused on going out there and making the saves I need to make."

McCollum also knows there are plenty of expectations that come with being a first-round pick.

"There's always a lot of pressure being a high pick. That's no exception here, even though I was a later pick in the first round," he said. "Any high pick in Detroit has a lot of pressure on them, but that's something I kind of relish and use to motivate me."

Pearce said he knows he might be the odd man out. If he's sent to Toledo of the ECHL to start the season, he said he'll be happy just to play and will work even harder.

"You want to go where you have your best shot, but you want to go also a place where they'll give you a chance to play," Pearce said. "Detroit gives their prospects time to develop, they work with them great. They expect a lot out of them and aren't afraid to play the goalie that's playing best."

Pearce appeared in the Griffins' season finale last season, giving up five goals in a 5-2 loss to Peoria.

He said the friendly competition with McCollum should benefit his career in the long run.

"When things are kind of given to you, you get complacent," Pearce said. "To know that you have to come and work hard every day, at least in my opinion, it makes me a little bit more motivated."

McCollum agreed.

"We're only going to push each other. So, in the end, it's going to work out well for the both of us," he said. "We'll be better goalies for it. Hopefully, I can get the upper hand."